Umbrella with ropes

ABSTRACT

The present invention is an umbrella that is opened by pulling down on ropes connected to each of its arms. Since ropes are used to both open the umbrella and to keep it from opening too wide, there are no rigid parts that can break other than the central pole and each arm. The central pole and each arm can be easily replaced since the parts are held together by ropes and knots.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) from provisional application No. 60/824,279, filed Aug. 31, 2006 which is incorporated by reference herein, in its entirety, for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed generally to umbrellas.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Umbrellas are made in many various forms. Prior art umbrellas use a set of short rigid arms to push up a set of longer rigid arms. Sometimes, the longer arms are initially folded and when raised, unfold to provide a greater rain shield area.

Umbrellas tend to break in high wind.

A broken modern metal umbrella is effectively impossible to fix and must be discarded.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to have an umbrella that minimizes rigid elements which can break.

It is further an object of the invention to have an umbrella with a canopy fabric that is replaceable and interchangeable.

It is further an object of the invention to have an umbrella which can be fixed easily by the average owner if the umbrella does break.

Other objects and features of the invention will become evident from the description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is made to the following figures where FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a section of the disclosed umbrella with arms down;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a section of the disclosed umbrella with arms up; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a ring mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of an umbrella in accordance with the present invention will now be described with continued reference to the figures.

The present invention teaches a method of building an umbrella using ropes and sticks. In practice, hemp or nylon ropes along with bamboo may be used. Dowels or aluminum rods may be used.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an umbrella made of rope and solid but flexible arms. FIG. 1 shows the arms in a down position as when folded. FIG. 2 shows the arms in an up position as when opened. FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of a means for pulling all ropes down together and locking the arms in an up position.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a central pole (10) has a plurality of arms (30) and for each such arm (30) guides a rope (20) to said arm (30) over a pulley (40) where one end (21) of said rope (20) connects to a point on said arm (30). The other end (22) of said rope (20) connects to a block (1 1). The rope, block, pole, and arm are assembled such that moving block (11) down pole (10) pulls down rope (20) and brings up arm (30). Pulley 40 need not be a pulley, but can be a functionally equivalent in the form of a guide through or over which rope 20 slides.

The moving block (11) may be a double ring (110) comprising an outer ring (111) and an inner ring (112). The outer ring is around the outside of the central pole. The inner ring is on the inside of the central pole. The inner and outer rings are connected at at least one point, preferably more. The inner ring has points where a rope (20) may connect. The moving block (11) can be placed in a locked position after it has been pulled down. In the locked position, the block does not move. A preferred embodiment has vertical slits (14) through which the outer ring and inner ring are connected and along which the moving block (11) can slide up and down. A horizontal slit (15) allows the moving block (11) to be rotated such that the connector (16) of the inner and outer rings is no longer within a slit (15) and therefore cannot move up or down.

In an alternate embodiment of the pull-down mechanism, one end of each rope 20 is fastened to the moving block 11 such that rope 20 is threaded down or along the length of the central pole 10 and fastened to moving block 11. Rope 20 may be threaded inside central pole, in which case rope 20 comes out of the central pole through an opening. Various alternative threadings of rope 20 can be used and the disclosed preferred embodiment should not be considered limiting.

Each arm (30) is restricted in movement away from the pole (10) by a rope (80) connecting the pole (10) and the arm (30). Alternatively, a stopper (12) restricts the motion of an arm (30).

Each arm (30) is fastened near the top of the central pole (10) such that the arm (30) is free to pivot in the plane of the arm (30) and pole (10).

Each rope (20) is fastened to an arm (30) with a knot (23)

Each rope is fastened to the block (11) with a knot (24)

A fabric canopy (90) of plastic or other water-repellent or water-resistant material covers arms (30) and is fastened or attached such that it remains in place.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described herein, it is to be understood that modifications and variations thereof may occur to one having ordinary skill in the relevant art. The invention should therefore be considered to include all such modifications and variations within the fair spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. An umbrella comprising a central pole, arms, ropes, and a canopy, wherein said ropes are connected to said arms and said central pole, and said canopy is connected to said arms, and said arms are connected to said central pole near the top of said central pole, whereby pulling down on said ropes rotates said arms upwards.
 2. An umbrella as in claim 1 further with a means for locking said ropes in a down position, whereby said arms are in locked in an up position.
 3. An umbrella as in claim 1 further with means for detaching and attaching a canopy to said arms. 